Protection structure and a fan thereof

ABSTRACT

A fan includes a fan frame, a rotor, a stator module and a protection structure. The fan frame has a base seat and the stator module is disposed on the base seat. The stator module includes a silicon steel sheet assembly having multiple splits and multiple outer faces. The rotor is disposed in the fan frame corresponding to the outer faces of the silicon steel sheet assembly. The protection structure includes multiple posts corresponding to the splits of the silicon steel sheet assembly. The posts are welded with the splits by means of laser welding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a protection structure and afan thereof, and more particularly to a stator module with protectionstructure and a fan thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known that various fans are widely applied to all kinds of devicesor sites, for example, personal computers, servers, storage devices,communication apparatuses, power supplies, vehicle industries,industrial control instruments, medical equipments, shipping equipments,air-conditioners and other industrial apparatuses.

A conventional fan stator includes a silicon steel sheet assembly,multiple windings, a circuit board and other electronic components.These components are exposed to air in contact with the vapor or dust inthe air. Therefore, short-circuit may take place to these components tocause damage thereof due to humidity. In some more serious cases, thesecomponents may burn out and fail. This will affect the operation of theelectronic device.

Therefore, when applied to various devices and sites, it is necessary toprevent the stator and other electronic components in the fan fromhumidity and salty fog.

Currently, there are four ways to protect the stator and otherelectronic components as follows:

-   1. Cover body protection. A cover body is used to enclose and seal    the stator so as to prevent the stator structure from direction    contact with air. In this case, the stator is isolated from humidity    and salty fog. However, in practice, such protection has some    shortcomings. The cover body is disposed between the stator and the    rotor around the stator. This leads to increase of the distance    between the stator and the rotor. That is, the gap between the    silicon steel sheet assembly of the stator and the magnet of the    rotor is increased. As a result, the magnetization and induction    performance will be reduced to affect rotational power of the fan.    Furthermore, the stator is sealedly enclosed in the cover body by    means of adhesive dispensing or O-ring press fit. The adhesive    dispensing process costs long time and it is hard to control the    amount of the adhesive so that the adhesive is likely to spill. The    lifetime of the O-ring is short. After a period of use, the O-ring    tends to crack. Under such circumstance, the humidity and salty fog    are easy to infiltrate into the cover body.-   2. Cover body and sealing adhesive protection. In order to solve the    above problem of the cover body and enhance the sealing performance    of the cover body, a sealing adhesive is filled into the cover body    to seal the stator and electronic components. However, in practice,    such protection still has some shortcomings. The magnetization and    induction performance will be still reduced to affect rotational    power of the fan. Moreover, it takes long time to wait for    solidification of the sealing adhesive. In addition, during    solidification process, the adhesive will apply a stress to the    electronic components due to thermal change. This is likely to cause    malfunction of the electronic components. It is necessary to pay    great attention to the surface mount technology (SMT) strength    between the electronic components and the circuit board. Moreover,    the cover body is positioned in the outermost position. After the    sealing adhesive is filled into the cover body, it is impossible to    check the condition of the sealing adhesive inside the cover body.    In the case of improper filling, bubbles will exist in the adhesive.    This leads to probability of infiltration. Moreover, after sealed by    the adhesive, the heat dissipation effect of the windings and the    silicon steel sheets and electronic components of the stator will be    deteriorated. This will cause rise of temperature of the stator.-   3. Sealing adhesive protection. Along with the advance of the    sealing adhesive, the stator can be sealed without using any cover    body. After the stator is covered by a mold, the adhesive is    directly filled or injected into the mold to seal the entire stator.    After the adhesive is solidified, the mold is removed, whereby the    stator is sealedly enclosed in the adhesive body. However, in    practice, such protection still has some shortcomings. There are    still the above problems existing in the sealing adhesive. Moreover,    the affection of the injection pressure and injection temperature    onto the electronic components must be taken into consideration. In    addition, after injected, it is impossible to check whether the    components are displaced due to the injection pressure.-   4. Coating protection. By means of coating or vacuum coating, the    adhesive is uniformly coated on the outer surfaces of the stator and    other electronic components so as to achieve moistureproof and    waterproof effect. However, in practice, such protection still has    some shortcomings. The coating coated on the stator and other    electronic components is quite thin and is likely to be damaged by    alien article in the manufacturing process or during transfer.    Moreover, the material of the stator and other electronic components    will affect the surface adhesion of the coating or deteriorate the    adhesion effect thereof. At high temperature, the coating may    blister and damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide aprotection structure and a stator module thereof and a fan thereof. Theouter faces of the silicon steel sheet assembly are exposed to outerside without enlarging the gap between the rotor and the silicon steelsheet assembly. Therefore, the power performance of the motor will notbe affected.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the aboveprotection structure and the stator module thereof and the fan thereof.The electronic components are free from the affection of thermal stressof the sealing adhesive so that the electronic components are preventedfrom being damaged.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide theabove protection structure and the stator module thereof and the fanthereof, in which the electronic components are isolated from humidityand salty fog. Moreover, the heat dissipation effect is better.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide theabove protection structure and the stator module thereof and the fanthereof, in which the welding precision is high and the sealing effectis excellent.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide amanufacturing method in which laser welding is used so that the weldingprecision is high and the sealing effect is perfect. Also, the weldingtime is shortened and the thermal deformation is reduced.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide theabove manufacturing method in which laser welding is used so that theprocessing is speeded and it costs no time to wait for thesolidification and the cost and price are lowered.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide theabove manufacturing method in which robotic arm is used to operate andmove the laser device so that the complicated junction can be quicklywelded.

To achieve the above and other objects, the protection structure of thepresent invention is applicable to a stator module having multiplesplits. The protection structure includes: a first cover body disposedat one end of the stator module, the first cover body including multipleposts correspondingly connected with the splits; and a second cover bodydisposed at the other end of the stator module, the multiple postsextending from the first cover body to the second cover body, each ofthe posts having an extension end connected with the second cover body.

Alternatively, the protection structure of the present inventionincludes a first cover body disposed at one end of the stator module anda second cover body disposed at the other end of the stator module. Thesecond cover body has multiple posts correspondingly connected with thesplits.

The stator module of the present invention includes: a circuit board; aninsulation support assembly; a silicon steel sheet assembly fitted withthe insulation support assembly, the silicon steel sheet assemblyincluding a first end, a second end, multiple outer faces formed betweenthe first and second ends and multiple splits respectively formedbetween the adjacent outer faces to axially pass through the first andsecond ends; a winding assembly wound around the silicon steel sheetassembly and connected to the circuit board; and a protection structureincluding a first cover body disposed at the first end of the siliconsteel sheet assembly. The first cover body includes multiple postsrespectively correspondingly connected with the splits. The outer facesof the silicon steel sheet assembly are respectively disposed betweenthe posts and exposed to outer side.

Alternatively, the stator module of the present invention includes: acircuit board; an insulation support assembly; a silicon steel sheetassembly fitted with the insulation support assembly, the silicon steelsheet assembly including a first end, a second end, multiple outer facesformed between the first and second ends and multiple splitsrespectively formed between the adjacent outer faces to axially passthrough the first and second ends; a winding assembly wound around thesilicon steel sheet assembly and connected to the circuit board; and aprotection structure including a first cover body disposed at the firstend of the silicon steel sheet assembly and a second cover body disposedat the second end of the silicon steel sheet assembly. The second coverbody includes multiple posts respectively correspondingly connected withthe splits. The outer faces of the silicon steel sheet assembly arerespectively disposed between the posts and exposed to outer side.

The fan of the present invention includes: a base seat disposed at acenter of a fan frame; a circuit board; an insulation support assembly;a silicon steel sheet assembly fitted with the insulation supportassembly, the silicon steel sheet assembly including a first end, asecond end, multiple outer faces formed between the first and secondends and multiple splits respectively formed between the adjacent outerfaces to axially pass through the first and second ends; and a windingassembly wound around the silicon steel sheet assembly and connected tothe circuit board; a rotor disposed in the fan frame corresponding tothe outer faces of the silicon steel sheet assembly; and a protectionstructure including a first cover body disposed at the first end of thesilicon steel sheet assembly. The first cover body includes multipleposts respectively correspondingly connected with the splits. The outerfaces of the silicon steel sheet assembly are respectively disposedbetween the posts and exposed to outer side corresponding to the rotor.

Alternatively, the fan of the present invention includes: a base seatdisposed at a center of a fan frame; a circuit board; an insulationsupport assembly; a silicon steel sheet assembly fitted with theinsulation support assembly, the silicon steel sheet assembly includinga first end, a second end, multiple outer faces formed between the firstand second ends and multiple splits respectively formed between theadjacent outer faces to axially pass through the first and second ends;and a winding assembly wound around the silicon steel sheet assembly andconnected to the circuit board; a rotor disposed in the fan framecorresponding to the outer faces of the silicon steel sheet assembly;and a protection structure including a first cover body disposed at thefirst end of the silicon steel sheet assembly and a second cover bodydisposed at the second end of the silicon steel sheet assembly. Thesecond cover body includes multiple posts respectively correspondinglyconnected with the splits. The outer faces of the silicon steel sheetassembly are respectively disposed between the posts and exposed toouter side corresponding to the rotor.

The manufacturing method of the fan stator module of the presentinvention includes steps of: providing a stator module, the statormodule including a silicon steel sheet assembly having a first end, asecond end, multiple splits and multiple outer faces, the outer facesbeing formed between the adjacent splits; providing a first cover bodyto cover the first end of the silicon steel sheet assembly, the firstcover body including multiple posts correspondingly inserted in themultiple splits, two sides of the posts respectively contacting twosides of the splits; providing a second cover body to cover the secondend of the silicon steel sheet assembly, the posts of the first coverbody extending to the second cover body; and using laser welding to weldthe first cover body with the first end of the silicon steel sheetassembly weld two sides of the posts with two sides of the splits.

Alternatively, the manufacturing method of the fan stator module presentinvention includes steps of: providing a stator module, the statormodule including a silicon steel sheet assembly having a first end, asecond end, multiple splits and multiple outer faces, the outer facesbeing formed between the adjacent splits; providing a first cover bodyand a second cover body to respectively cover the first and second endsof the silicon steel sheet assembly, the second cover body includingmultiple posts each having an extension end extending to the first coverbody and correspondingly inserted in the multiple splits, two sides ofthe posts respectively contacting two sides of the splits; and usinglaser welding to weld the first cover body with the first end of thesilicon steel sheet assembly and the extension ends of the multipleposts and weld the second cover body with the second end of the siliconsteel sheet assembly and weld two sides of the posts with two sides ofthe splits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present inventionto achieve the above and other objects can be best understood byreferring to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of thestructure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional exploded view of the first embodiment of thestructure of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective assembled view of the first embodiment of thestructure of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional assembled view of the first embodiment of thestructure of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of circled area of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of thestructure of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional exploded view of the second embodiment of thestructure of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a sectional assembled view of the second embodiment of thestructure of the present invention, in which the diameter of the thirdcover body is slightly smaller than the diameter of the second coverbody;

FIG. 8B is a sectional assembled view of the second embodiment of thestructure of the present invention, in which the diameter of the thirdcover body is slightly larger than the diameter of the second coverbody;

FIG. 8C is a sectional assembled view of the second embodiment of thestructure of the present invention, in which the diameter of the thirdcover body is equal to the diameter of the second cover body;

FIG. 9A is a perspective assembled view of the second embodiment of thestructure of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a perspective assembled view of the second embodiment of thestructure of the present invention, seen from another angle;

FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of thestructure of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional exploded view of the third embodiment of thestructure of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional assembled view of the third embodiment of thestructure of the present invention;

FIG. 13A is a perspective assembled view of the third embodiment of thestructure of the present invention;

FIG. 13B is a perspective assembled view of the third embodiment of thestructure of the present invention, seen from another angle;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a first embodiment of the manufacturingmethod of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a second embodiment of the manufacturingmethod of the present invention;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are perspective views showing the step of laserwelding of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of a third embodiment of the manufacturingmethod of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view ofa first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectionalexploded view of the first embodiment of the present invention.According to the first embodiment, the fan 1 of the present inventionincludes a base seat 10, a stator module 2 and a rotor 12.

The base seat 10 includes a cup section 101 and multiple supportsections 102. The cup section 101 axially upward protrudes from the baseseat 10. The multiple support sections 102 are connected between anouter circumference of the base seat 10 and an inner circumference of afan frame 13 for supporting the base seat 10 at the center of the fanframe 13.

Please now refer to FIGS. 1 to 5. The stator module 2 includes aninsulation support assembly 21, a silicon steel sheet assembly 22, awinding assembly 23, a circuit board 24 and a protection structure 25.

The circuit board 24 is disposed on the base seat 10, having a centralhole 241 in which the cup section 101 is fitted.

The insulation support assembly 21 includes an upper insulation support211 and a lower insulation support 212.

The silicon steel sheet assembly 22 is composed of multiple siliconsteel sheets, which are stacked. The silicon steel sheet assembly 22 isfitted between the insulation support assembly 21.

The silicon steel sheet assembly 22 has a first end 221 and a second end222 and multiple outer faces 223 formed between the first and secondends 221, 222. Multiple splits 224 are formed between the adjacent outerfaces 223 to axially pass through the first and second ends 221, 222.

The winding assembly 23 is wound around the silicon steel sheet assembly22 and the insulation support assembly 21 and electrically connected tothe circuit board 24.

The protection structure 25 includes a first cover body 251 and a secondcover body 252, which are respectively disposed at two ends of thestator module 2.

The first cover body 251 is connected with the first end 221 of thesilicon steel sheet assembly 22. The first cover body 251 has a firstcentral hole 2511 formed at a center of the first cover body 251 andconnected to the insulation support assembly 21. The first cover body251 further has a first annular wall 2512 formed on an outercircumference of the first cover body 251 and connected with the firstend 221 of the silicon steel sheet assembly 22. The first cover body 251further has multiple posts 2513 arranged on the first annular wall 2512at intervals and correspondingly connected in the splits 224respectively. Each post 2513 has an extension end 25131 extending fromthe first cover body 251 to the second cover body 252. The outer faces223 of the silicon steel sheet assembly 22 are respectively positionedbetween the posts 2513 and exposed to outer side.

The second cover body 252 is connected with the second end 222 of thesilicon steel sheet assembly 22. The second cover body 252 has a secondcentral hole 2521, a second annular wall 2522, a third annular wall 2523and a receiving space 2524 (as shown in FIG. 2). The second annular wall2522 is formed around the second central hole 2521 and connected withthe second end 222 of the silicon steel sheet assembly 22 and theextension ends 25131 of the posts 2513 of the first cover body 251. Thethird annular wall 2523 is formed on an outer circumference of thesecond cover body 252 and connected with the base seat 10. The receivingspace 2524 is formed between the second central hole 2521 and the thirdannular wall 2523 for receiving the circuit board 24.

The rotor 12 is disposed in the fan frame 13 corresponding to the statormodule 2. The rotor 12 includes a magnetic member 121 corresponding tothe outer faces 223 of the silicon steel sheet assembly 22 and the posts2513.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, by means of laser welding, the firstannular wall 2512 is connected with the first end 221 of the siliconsteel sheet assembly 22, the posts 2513 are connected with the splits224, the first central hole 2511 is connected with the insulationsupport assembly 21, the extension ends 25131 of the posts 2513 areconnected with the second annular wall 2522, the second annular wall2522 is connected with the second end 222 of the silicon steel sheetassembly 22 and the third annular wall 2523 is connected with the baseseat 10. A welding section 3 is formed at each junction between theconnected sections after the laser welding.

Please now refer to FIGS. 6˜9A and 9B, which show a second embodiment ofthe present invention. The second embodiment is partially identical tothe first embodiment in structure and thus will not be repeatedlydescribed hereinafter. The second embodiment is different from the firstembodiment in that the protection structure 35 includes a first coverbody 351, a second cover body 352 and a third cover body 37.

The first cover body 351 is connected with the first end 221 of thesilicon steel sheet assembly 22. The first cover body 351 has a firstcentral hole 3511 formed at the center of the first cover body 351 andconnected with the insulation support assembly 21. The first cover body351 further has a first annular wall 3512 formed on an outercircumference of the first cover body 351 and connected with the firstend 221 of the silicon steel sheet assembly 22. The first cover body 351further has multiple posts 3513 arranged on the first annular wall 2312at intervals and correspondingly connected in the splits 224respectively. The outer faces 223 of the silicon steel sheet assembly 22are respectively positioned between the posts 3513 and exposed to outerside. Each post 3513 has an extension end 35131 extending from the firstcover body 351 to the second cover body 352.

The second cover body 352 is connected with the second end 222 of thesilicon steel sheet assembly 22. The second cover body 352 has a secondcentral hole 3521, a second annular wall 3522, a third annular wall 3523and a receiving space 3524 (as shown in FIG. 7). The second annular wall3522 is formed around the second central hole 3521 and connected withthe second end 222 of the silicon steel sheet assembly 22 and theextension ends 35131 of the posts 3513 of the first cover body 351. Thethird annular wall 3523 is formed on an outer circumference of thesecond cover body 352. The receiving space 3524 (as shown in FIG. 7) isformed between the second central hole 3521 and the third annular wall3523.

The third cover body 37 is mated with the second cover body 352 anddisposed on the base seat 10. The third cover body 37 has a thirdcentral hole 371 formed at the center of the third cover body 37 and afourth annular wall 372 formed on an outer circumference of the thirdcover body 37. The third cover body 37 has a diameter slightly smallerthan or slightly larger than or equal to the diameter of the secondcover body 352, whereby the fourth annular wall 372 is mated with aninner circumference of the third annular wall 3523 or an outercircumference of the third annular wall 3523 or is directly mated withthe third annular wall 3523.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A, in this embodiment, the diameter of thethird cover body 37 is smaller than the diameter of the second coverbody 352 to press the circuit board 24 against the second cover body352, whereby the circuit board 24 is located in the receiving space 3524of the second cover body 352. The outer circumference of the fourthannular wall 372 is correspondingly connected with the innercircumference of the third annular wall 3523 so as to connect the secondcover body 352 with the third cover body 37. The third central hole 371is connected with the insulation support assembly 21. Alternatively, asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8B, the diameter of the third cover body 37 islarger than the diameter of the second cover body 352 and the circuitboard 24 is disposed on the third cover body 37. The inner circumferenceof the fourth annular wall 372 is correspondingly connected with theouter circumference of the third annular wall 3523. Still alternatively,as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8C, the diameter of the third cover body 37 isequal to the diameter of the second cover body 352 and the circuit board24 is disposed on the third cover body 37. The fourth annular wall 372is mated with the third annular wall 3523 and the third central hole 371is connected with the insulation support assembly 21.

According to the above arrangement, in this embodiment, the insulationsupport assembly 21, the silicon steel sheet assembly 22 and the windingassembly 23 of the stator module 2 are connected with the first andsecond cover bodies 351, 352. The circuit board 24 of the stator module2 is disposed between the second and third cover bodies 352, 37.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, by means of laser welding, the firstannular wall 3512 is connected with the first end 221 of the siliconsteel sheet assembly 22, the posts 3513 are connected with the splits224, the first central hole 3511 is connected with the insulationsupport assembly 21, the extension ends 35131 of the posts 3513 areconnected with the second annular wall 3522, the second annular wall3522 is connected with the second end 222 of the silicon steel sheetassembly 22, the third annular wall 3523 is connected with the thirdcover body 37 and the third cover body 37 is connected with theinsulation support assembly 21. A welding section 4 is formed at eachjunction between the connected sections after the laser welding.

Please now refer to FIGS. 10˜13A and 13B, which show a third embodimentof the present invention. The third embodiment is partially identical tothe second embodiment in structure and assembly and thus will not berepeatedly described hereinafter. The third embodiment is different fromthe second embodiment in that the protection structure 45 includes afirst cover body 451, a second cover body 452 and a third cover body 47.

The first cover body 451 is connected with the first end 221 of thesilicon steel sheet assembly 22. The first cover body 451 has a firstcentral hole 4511 formed at the center of the first cover body 451 andconnected with the insulation support assembly 21. The first cover body451 further has a first annular wall 4512 formed on an outercircumference of the first cover body 451 and connected with the firstend 221 of the silicon steel sheet assembly 22.

The second cover body 452 is connected with the second end 222 of thesilicon steel sheet assembly 22. The second cover body 452 has a secondcentral hole 4521, a second annular wall 4522, a third annular wall4523, a receiving space 4524 (as shown in FIG. 11) and multiple posts4525.

The second annular wall 4522 is formed around the second central hole4521 and connected with the second end 222 of the silicon steel sheetassembly 22. The third annular wall 4523 is formed on an outercircumference of the second cover body 452. The receiving space 4524 isformed between the second central hole 4521 and the third annular wall4523 for receiving the circuit board 24.

The multiple posts 4524 are arranged on the second annular wall 2312 atintervals and correspondingly connected in the splits 224 respectively.Each post 4524 has an extension end 45251 extending from the secondcover body 452 to the first cover body 451 and connected with the firstannular wall 4512 of the first cover body 451. The outer faces 223 ofthe silicon steel sheet assembly 22 are respectively positioned betweenthe posts 4525 and exposed to outer side.

The third cover body 47 is mated with the second cover body 452. Thethird cover body 47 has a third central hole 471 formed at the center ofthe third cover body 47 and a fourth annular wall 472 formed on an outercircumference of the third cover body 47. The third cover body 47 has adiameter slightly smaller than or slightly larger than or equal to thediameter of the second cover body 452.

As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, the diameter of the third coverbody 47 is smaller than the diameter of the second cover body 452 topress the circuit board 24 against the second cover body 452, wherebythe circuit board 24 is located in the receiving space 4524 of thesecond cover body 452. The outer circumference of the fourth annularwall 472 is correspondingly connected with the inner circumference ofthe third annular wall 4523 so as to connect the second cover body 452with the third cover body 47. The third central hole 471 is connectedwith the insulation support assembly 21.

According to the above arrangement, in this embodiment, the insulationsupport assembly 21, the silicon steel sheet assembly 22 and the windingassembly 23 of the stator module 2 are connected with the first andsecond cover bodies 451, 452. The circuit board 24 of the stator module2 is disposed between the second and third cover bodies 452, 47.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 13A and 13B, by means of laser welding, the firstannular wall 4512 is connected with the first end 221 of the siliconsteel sheet assembly 22, the first central hole 4511 is connected withthe insulation support assembly 21, the second annular wall 4522 isconnected with the second end 222 of the silicon steel sheet assembly22, the posts 4525 are connected with the splits 224, the extension ends45251 of the posts 4525 are connected with the first annular wall 4512,the third annular wall 4523 is connected with the third cover body 47and the third cover body 47 is connected with the insulation supportassembly 21. A welding section 5 is formed at each junction between theconnected sections after the laser welding.

According to the above arrangements of the first, second and thirdembodiments, the present invention has the following advantages:

-   1. The outer faces of the silicon steel sheet assembly are exposed    to outer side without enlarging the gap between the rotor and the    stator module. Therefore, the power performance of the motor will    not be affected.-   2. There is no thermal stress of the sealing adhesive so that the    electronic components are prevented from being damaged.-   3. The welding precision is high and the sealing effect is excellent    so that the electronic components are isolated from humidity and    salty fog. Moreover, the heat dissipation effect is better.

Please now refer to FIG. 14, which is a flow chart of a first embodimentof the manufacturing method of the present invention that is applied tothe first embodiment of the fan of the present invention. With referenceto the description of the first embodiment of the fan of the presentinvention, the first embodiment of the manufacturing method of thepresent invention includes steps of:

61. providing a stator module 2, the stator module 2 including a siliconsteel sheet assembly 22 having a first end 221, a second end 222,multiple splits 224, multiple outer faces 223 and an insulation supportassembly 21, the outer faces 223 being formed between the adjacentsplits 224;62. providing a first cover body 251 to cover the first end 221 of thesilicon steel sheet assembly 22 and contact the insulation supportassembly 21, the first cover body 251 including multiple posts 2513correspondingly inserted in the multiple splits 224, two sides of theposts 2513 respectively contacting two sides of the splits 224;63. providing a second cover body 252 to cover the second end 222 of thesilicon steel sheet assembly 22, the posts 2513 of the first cover body251 extending to the second cover body 252; and64. using laser welding to weld the junction between the first coverbody 251 and the first end 221 of the silicon steel sheet assembly 22and the junction between the first cover body 251 and the insulationsupport assembly 21 and the junction between two sides of the posts 2513and two sides of the splits 224 and the junction between the secondcover body 252 and the second end 222 and the junction between the posts2513 and the second cover body 252.

Please now refer to FIG. 15, which is a flow chart of a secondembodiment of the manufacturing method of the present invention that isapplied to the second embodiment of the fan of the present invention.The second embodiment is partially identical to the first embodiment andthus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. With reference to thedescription of the second embodiment of the fan of the presentinvention, the second embodiment is different from the first embodimentin that the second embodiment of the manufacturing method of the presentinvention includes steps of:

71. providing a stator module 2, the stator module 2 including a siliconsteel sheet assembly 22 having a first end 221, a second end 222,multiple splits 224, multiple outer faces 223 and an insulation supportassembly 21, the outer faces 223 being formed between the adjacentsplits 224;72. providing a first cover body 351 to cover the first end 221 of thesilicon steel sheet assembly 22 and contact the insulation supportassembly 21, the first cover body 351 including multiple posts 3513correspondingly inserted in the multiple splits 224, two sides of theposts 2513 respectively contacting two sides of the splits 224;73. providing a second cover body 352 to cover the second end 222 of thesilicon steel sheet assembly 22, the posts 3513 extending to the secondcover body 252, a third cover body 37 being further providedcorresponding to the second cover body 352 in contact with theinsulation support assembly 21; and74. using laser welding to weld the junction between the first coverbody 351 and the first end 221 of the silicon steel sheet assembly 22and the junction between the first cover body 351 and the insulationsupport assembly 21 and the junction between two sides of the posts 3513and two sides of the splits 224 and the junction between the secondcover body 352 and the second end 222 and the junction between the posts3513 and the second cover body 352 and the junction between the thirdcover body 37 and the second cover body 352 and the junction between thethird cover body 37 and the insulation support assembly 21.

Please refer to FIGS. 16A and 16B. Also referring to the description ofthe first and second embodiments of the fan of the present invention, inthe step of laser welding of the manufacturing method of the presentinvention, a laser device 67 is used to continuously generate andproject a laser beam 671 onto the surface of the junctions. The laserdevice is, but not limited to, gas CO₂ laser device or solid YAG laserdevice. The laser welding of the present invention is, but not limitedto, laser heat transfer welding or laser deep penetration welding.

With respect to laser heat transfer welding, the objects to be connectedare molten in the welding process. The laser beam is absorbed by theseams on the surfaces of the objects and then the molten objects aresolidified to connect with each other. In such welding process, thewelding depth is generally smaller than 2 mm.

With respect to laser deep penetration welding, the laser is activatedat a power density of about 106 watts per cubic millimeter. The objectsto be connected are locally heated to an evaporation temperature,whereby vapor capillary is formed inside the objects. The vapor pressuregenerated inside the objects produces a capillary with a size about 1.5times the diameter of the laser beam focus through the seams of theobjects for welding the objects together. The liquid static pressure,the surface tension of the molten objects and the vapor pressure in thecapillary are balanced to avoid crash of the capillary. In such weldingprocess, the welding depth is up to 25 mm. The laser device 67 isconnected to a robotic arm 68. By means of the robotic arm 68, the laserdevice 67 is moved along the junction between the objects.

The laser deep penetration welding will be exemplified hereinafter forillustrating the laser welding process. The laser has sufficiently highpower thermal density so that when the laser beam 671 is projected ontothe surfaces of the junctions, the laser beam can be conducted into thejunction between the adjacent objects to form capillary inside thejunction. When the laser beam 671 moves along the junction, thecapillary is also moved along with the laser beam 671, whereby thematerial of the junction is molten to connect with each other to form awelding section 3 or 4 at the junction.

Please now refer to FIG. 17, which is a flow chart of a third embodimentof the manufacturing method of the present invention that is applied tothe third embodiment of the fan of the present invention. The thirdembodiment is partially identical to the first embodiment in laserwelding principle and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter.The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that thethird embodiment of the manufacturing method of the present inventionincludes steps of:

81. providing a stator module 2, the stator module 2 including a siliconsteel sheet assembly 22 having a first end 221, a second end 222,multiple splits 224, multiple outer faces 223 and an insulation supportassembly 21, the outer faces 223 being formed between the adjacentsplits 224;82. providing a first cover body 451 and a second cover body 452 torespectively cover the first and second ends 221, 222 of the siliconsteel sheet assembly 22, the first cover body 451 contacting theinsulation support assembly 21, the second cover body 452 includingmultiple posts 4525 each having an extension end 45251 extending to thefirst cover body 451 and correspondingly inserted in the multiple splits224, two sides of the posts 4525 respectively contacting two sides ofthe splits 224;83. providing a third cover body 47 corresponding to the second coverbody 452 in contact with the insulation support assembly 21; and84. using laser welding to weld the junction between the first coverbody 451 and the first end 221 of the silicon steel sheet assembly 22and the junction between the first cover body 451 and the insulationsupport assembly 21 and the junction between two sides of the posts45251 and two sides of the splits 224 and the junction between thesecond cover body 452 and the second end 222 and the junction betweenthe posts 4525 and the second cover body 452 and the junction betweenthe third cover body 47 and the second cover body 452 and the junctionbetween the third cover body 47 and the insulation support assembly 21.

According to the first to third embodiments of the manufacturing methodof the present invention, the present invention has the followingadvantages:

-   1. The welding precision is high and the sealing effect is perfect.    Also, the welding time is short and the thermal deformation is    reduced.-   2. The processing is speeded and it costs no time to wait for the    solidification. In addition, the cost and price are lower.-   3. The complicated junction can be quickly welded.

The present invention has been described with the above embodimentsthereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in theabove embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scopeand the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only bythe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protection structure applicable to a statormodule having multiple splits, the protection structure comprising: afirst cover body disposed at one end of the stator module; and a secondcover body disposed at the other end of the stator module, the secondcover body including multiple posts correspondingly connected with thesplits, each post having an extension end extending from the secondcover body to the first cover body to connect with the first cover body.2. The protection structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the firstcover body further includes a first central hole formed at a center ofthe first cover body and connected with the stator module, the firstcover body further including a first annular wall formed on an outercircumference of the first cover body and connected with a first end ofthe stator module, the multiple posts being arranged on the firstannular wall at intervals.
 3. The protection structure as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the second cover body further includes a second centralhole, a second annular wall, a third annular wall and a receiving space,the second annular wall being formed around the second central hole andconnected with the stator module, the third annular wall being formed onan outer circumference of the second cover body, the receiving spacebeing formed between the second central hole and the third annular wall.4. A fan comprising: a base seat disposed at a center of a fan frame; arotor disposed in the fan frame; a stator module disposed on the baseseat corresponding to the rotor, the stator module including: a circuitboard; an insulation support assembly; a silicon steel sheet assemblyfitted with the insulation support assembly, the silicon steel sheetassembly including a first end, a second end, multiple outer facesformed between the first and second ends and multiple splitsrespectively formed between the adjacent outer faces to axially passthrough the first and second ends; and a winding assembly wound aroundthe silicon steel sheet assembly and the insulation support assembly andconnected to the circuit board; and a protection structure including: afirst cover body disposed at the first end of the silicon steel sheetassembly; and a second cover body disposed at the second end of thesilicon steel sheet assembly, the second cover body including multipleposts respectively correspondingly connected with the splits, the outerfaces of the silicon steel sheet assembly being respectively disposedbetween the posts and exposed to outer side corresponding to the rotor,each post having an extension end extending from the second cover bodyto the first cover body to connect with the first cover body.
 5. The fanas claimed in claim 4, wherein the first cover body further includes afirst central hole formed at a center of the first cover body andconnected with the silicon steel sheet assembly, the first cover bodyfurther including a first annular wall formed on an outer circumferenceof the first cover body and connected with the first end of the siliconsteel sheet assembly, the multiple posts being arranged on the firstannular wall at intervals.
 6. The fan as claimed in claim 5, wherein thesecond cover body further includes a second central hole, a secondannular wall, a third annular wall and a receiving space, the secondannular wall being formed around the second central hole and connectedwith the second end of the silicon steel sheet assembly, the thirdannular wall being formed on an outer circumference of the second coverbody, the receiving space being formed between the second central holeand the third annular wall for receiving the circuit board, the multipleposts being arranged on the second annular wall at intervals.
 7. The fanas claimed in claim 6, further comprising a welding section formed bymeans of laser welding at a junction between the first annular wall ofthe first cover body and the first end of the silicon steel sheetassembly and a junction between the first central hole and theinsulation support assembly and a junction between the extension ends ofthe posts and the first annular wall and a junction between the postsand the splits and a junction between the second annular wall and thesecond end of the silicon steel sheet assembly.
 8. The fan as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the protection structure further includes a third coverbody mated with the second cover body, the third cover body having athird central hole connected with the insulation support assembly. 9.The fan as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a welding sectionformed by means of laser welding at a junction between the posts and thesplits, a junction between the first annular wall and the first end ofthe silicon steel sheet assembly and a junction between the secondannular wall and the second end of the silicon steel sheet assembly, ajunction between the first central hole and the insulation supportassembly and a junction between the extension ends of the posts and thefirst annular wall and a junction between the third central hole and theinsulation support assembly and a junction between the third annularwall of the second cover body and the third cover body.